Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-09

4
stones past history, but / doupt if Ii,
cares to have all these people become
acquainted with ii"
L gave Miss Marjorie grateful
glance, for the old lady was good dea
like a runaway steam engine when she
got started.
"Pshaw! Marjorie, that's just the
way you always stop me. l never gel
to finish anything. Are you going?'
| this to me.
IL must, l fear, much as | would like
to remain. Business won't wait. You
see, we busy bees must make the honey
that you butterflies and humming-
birds may have naught to do but
gather it and be happy"
"Do you often quote such delightful
things?" said Miss Marjorie, cody.
Don't mind her, Egbert; she S
nightly pleased to he called butter
fly; why didn't you say wasp. But
you cannot get away from us this way.
Do come and see us. We 60 driving
every evening right after supper. Ill
save place for you if you'll CO."
"Certainly. I'm delighted to have
that honor"
"There, there; go along now. No
moro compliments. know you of old.
Ten to one you are laughing in your
sleeve at me now. But always did
like you, in spite of your naughtiness. :"
"Now, auntie, that's too bad. If
she's too sarcastic I'll have too help
you out Mr.. tombstone" This with
Miss Mariorie's most fascinating glance.
eff you only would" said, beseech-
ingly, Glow delightful it would he to sit
by and have ones battles fought by such
fair soldier; if you were only in earn
est, now"
"Egbert, do go away before 1 laugh
in your face," said the old lady
"ALarjorie in earnest? Why, of course
she is in earnest; women always are.
It's you men who are scarce off with
the old love before you are on with the
new"
1 bowed. eff that's your verdict that
settles it," and Off went to the bank,
wondering not little what the old
lady was up to. She never mentioned
my wife. Thought L, 1 do wonder if
she doesn't know Tn married. She's
deep old schemer and I'll have too
look out for her; but there's no harm
in going driving that l see."
And when the time came I
went. Ii Marjorie was pretty
at noon, she was handsome
at night, and the most fascinating
tal1er. Odd, sarcastic speeches, It's
true, but in such charming way, and
accompanied by such bewitching looks
from her lovely eyes that a man must
be almost an angel to keep away from
her. Aunt Dissane always had some.
thing planned ahead, and well, ]
went around half the time in dream,
and the other half too supplied tc
think. sent Marjorie flowers, loaned
her books, and took her driving be.
hind my handsome bays, that no wo.
man but my wife had ever driven, and
hung over her chair every night in
the parlor. There was always crowd
around her, but whenever I came neal
she made roonl for me with such 8
pretty eagerness in her manner that
conld not help hanging around her and
whispering all those soft, silly speeches
that men find so easy to make and sc
hard to account for afterwards.
The days passed swiftly. Frances
letters came daily, and l answered
them regularly, yet, in spite of all
hung around NIajorie Dissane, as {
silly moth does candle. Four weeks
were almost gone. One evening
never shall forget. Marjorie and
we're alone in the par|or just after sup
per. was leaning over her chair, as
usual, toying with her hand, ard, re
lating a past eNperience-which existed
only in my Imagination said: 90
course all this happened years ago
Miss Marjorie. Had I but seen yor
then! With such charming woman
as you any man would be honest"
She laughed in my face.
"How will you say that, Mr.. John
stone? One could almost believe yor
meant it. You remember my Cousin
Annette? You said the same things to
her years ago..
| Had she struck me in the face
couldn't have been more surprised
| My silly fit OF madness was cured in.
stantlv; in a second [ saw through the
whole scheme. Marjorie was trying tc
firt with me because she fancied
had Tilted Annette. BY great effort
recovered my self-possession as she
arose and stood before me, saying:
81 am very glad to have you say
these things to me. I've been expect
ing this all the time, and looking for
ward to it. You said the same words
to Annette, and she, poor, foolish girl
believed that men were honest, and yor